Language Flops, Guachimontones

These past two weeks have slipped by. We have some updating to do!

First of all, we have a vehicle! Alfredo and Maria (from the church in Tepic) have sold us their 97 Ford Explorer. This is the vehicle we have been borrowing since we’ve been here. We had hoped to buy something different, but with all the paperwork and many other complications, we came to realize that this was the Lord’s provision for the time being. Once we have our Visa (sometime in the next number of months we hope), we will be able to sell this vehicle and buy something else. For now, we are thankful!

What else… We have a doctor here in Guadalajara (GDL)! So yes, we have decided to have the baby here. And feel very good about that. So we will have a little Mexican baby (and Canadian too). Matt jokes that this means we will have to work really hard at our Spanish so that we will be able to understand our baby. And Dad vP is looking forward to meeting his black-haired, darker skinned grandchild. The doctor is very warm (I got a big hug the first time I walked into his office), speaks quite a lot of English, and tells us that he is really a midwife at heart. So we will be very well cared for. It sounds that his practice is very different from a lot of other doctor’s practices here, where being medicated is assumed, care can be quite impersonal, and at times husbands aren’t even allowed to be present at the birth. This is what we were told at the information meeting we went to, so maybe they are a little biased. But anyway, we are so thankful for the Lord’s provision in this way also.

We are carrying on in our language studies. I completed Level 1 yesterday (there are 4 levels), and Matt is three-quarters the way through Level 3. We continue to be very impressed with the program and are learning a lot. From virtually not being able to speak four weeks ago, the fact that I can carry on a basic conversation now is very encouraging.  Of course, we will notice the most improvement at the beginning. And I am usually struggling to find the right verb tense and ending, and am just happy when they understand what I’m trying to say. There are also many opportunities for me to develop my ability to laugh at myself. A very important skill when you are learning a new language, I’ve learned! There was the time that I asked an eight year old girl if the nine year old boy standing beside her was her son. (Strange look. And then: oops, I mean brother). Then there was the time when we were handing out soup and buns downtown GDL with one of the missionary families and I thought that the one lady said that the other was pregnant. Well, I knew the word for “congratulations”, so I was happy to use it. Until I realized a moment later that I had definitely misunderstood the lady, and no congratulations were in order. They were very understanding and we all had a good laugh about that. And then, finally, there was the time when a man came to the door trying to sell me cheese. I thought he was the neighbour, and was asking to borrow some cheese. I was very apologetic that the cheese I had was cheddar, not Mexican cheese.  He looked confused so I went to the fridge and brought it out to show him. And, was this ok, and how much did he want?... Eventually I clued in, and I urgently called Matt down to try to explain to the man… We laughed and laughed.

There are many more things we could tell you about. We spent this past weekend in Tepic. Hi-lights were: many great conversations with Richard & Angela & Rev. & Mrs.  Bout, worshipping and celebrating communion with the church, (for me) the women’s bible study and baby shower for a lady in the church, fun times with the kids, and all the delicious food! (Thank-you Angela & Mrs. Bout!)

We also have included some pictures from a little trip we took on Monday. It was a public holiday, so we went with the other two ladies from the language school to Guachimontones, a historic site about one hour away. Matt can tell you a bit about this.  The Lord has been very good to us. When we have been discouraged, He has lifted us up. And His provision has been so abundant. We’ve been very blessed by the preaching of the Word here, and fellowship of believers. And while there are lots of things to do always, and paper work to get through (Matt’s favourite!), each day we continue on, not just merely surviving, but really enjoying our days and rejoicing in His goodness and faithfulness. We do thank you for your continued prayers and support. This means so much to us.

Matters for prayer:

• Rejoice with us in God’s provision of a car, a doctor, and that we can feel a lot more settled here.
• Pray for the application process for our Visa.
• Pray that we may continue to be motivated in our language studies and be able (and willing) to develop relationships with those in our neighbourhood.
• Give thanks for 29 weeks of pregnancy and that I am feeling so well.
• Pray for the gospel to continue to go forth in this dark land where there is so much need for the Truth.

Pictures from Guachimontones:

 The four of us (or should I say five? ) on top of a big massive altar looking down on the main altar.  The Guachimontones was built around 200 B.C. to 300 A.D. by an Indian group.  Guachimontones was apparently the cultural center of a vast empire / network stretching from Mexico down past Guatemala. 

 Here you can see the central altar in greater detail.  Note the steps going up to the very top! 
The group actually knew that the planets revolved around the sun.  It's an impressive place now, but actually was quite the brutal place in the past. Thankfully, that is no more.

 

A palota court, where they had to get to the ball into the hoop with their hips.